Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2018.

Pro-life

Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

Vote Smart's Research

"Our Declaration of Independence highlights the value of life and we have a sacred duty to stand for every life to have the chance to live. Unless, the mother's life is threatened either physically or psychologically, every child should have that live. As well, Roe vs. Wade should be repealed." http://timaalders.com/issues (timaalders.com)

Unknown Position

Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?

Vote Smart's Research

'In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?" No https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

Unknown Position

Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?

Vote Smart's Research

"In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?" Yes https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

Unknown Position

Campaign Finance: Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?

Vote Smart's Research

"Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?" Yes https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

No

Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Vote Smart's Research

"Our government has violated every oath and promise and placed our country in immediate perel by allowing us to live beyond our means. Fixing these issues are going to be painful but necessary to protect this country for our posterity." http://timaalders.com/issues (timaalders.com)

"Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?" No https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

Unknown Position

Economy: Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?

Vote Smart's Research

"True economic growth rarely originates from government, but rather the private sector is the primary means of growing our nation?s economy. Ironically, while big corporations have been given huge bailouts at taxpayers? expense, it is typically the small and medium businesses throughout America that provide economic stability and growth overall." https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

No

Education: Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?

Vote Smart's Research

"I believe that education is beyond the limited scope of constitutional authority granted to the federal government by the people, and in any event is more effectively handled by the states without any federal interference." https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

"It was always meant and should be handled on local level. Here in Utah I am sick of Progressives in Washington and special interest groups deciding what is best for our children." http://timaalders.com/issues (timaalders.com)

Unknown Position

Energy & Environment: Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?

Vote Smart's Research

"Indicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once. e) Environment" Greatly Decrease https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

Unknown Position

Energy & Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?

Vote Smart's Research

"Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?" No https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

No

Guns: Do you generally support gun-control legislation?

Vote Smart's Research

"Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?" No. I only support reasonable restrictions, such as restrictions against felons and mentally ill (similar to reasonable restrictions on voting rights).
The first step toward tyranny is to disarm the citizenry. Once achieved, the government can impose whatever laws it likes as there is no longer any threat from the very people who gave them that power.
The 2nd Amendment is about more than an armed militia, and instead it extends to citizens? right to bear arms in their own self-defense, including a defense against a tyrannical government that has gone far beyond the limited constitutional authority granted by the people. https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

"The Second Amendment was and should always remain, as the peoples final protection of our unalienable rights. It is a right that should not be infringed and any politician or Supreme Court justice that decides to infringe upon that right, is violating their oath and should be removed." http://timaalders.com/issues (timaalders.com)

Yes

Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?

Vote Smart's Research

"Since the ACA or Obama care, working people have witnessed their premiums climb. We need to stop allowing HMO's to operate without competition that would drive prices lower, cornering the healthcare market. We cannot provide healthcare for people coming here illegally and expecting hard working Americans to subsidize." http://timaalders.com/issues (timaalders.com)

Unknown Position

Immigration: Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?

Vote Smart's Research

Immigration: Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?

Vote Smart's Research

"Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?" Yes https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

Unknown Position

Marijuana: Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?

Vote Smart's Research

National Security: Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?

Vote Smart's Research

"Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?" No https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/135906/tim-aalders/#.W5LGrnX5gfI (votesmart.org)

No

National Security: Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?

Vote Smart's Research

"America was never intended to be the police of the world. It saddens me to see countries who we provided weapons to use them to hurt our young men and women. We should not be told by socialist nations of the UN, Nato, world trade organizations as to how we should handle our business." http://timaalders.com/issues (timaalders.com)

"We need a strong military to protect us in such a hateful world but we are not the worlds police. We cannot change Iran, Iraq or any other nation of the world unless we occupy for generations and indoctrinate their youth like we have allowed liberals to do here." http://timaalders.com/issues (timaalders.com)

Key

Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.

Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.

Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue.

Vote Smart's Research: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as the candidate has submitted it. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Utah Congressional Election 2014 Political Courage Test

This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.

The term ?pro-life? is better described as the sanctity of life. The word ?fetus? is a Latin term meaning ?little one,? used to describe a stage of development, just like ?infant? or ?adult.? Even though a fetus doesn?t look like an adult yet, neither does a newborn baby. A human fetus is no less human simply because it is smaller and more delicate. We must recognize the common humanity of all stages of development. Otherwise, what is the difference between the termination of a fetus and the termination of a child?s life at 6 months of age or 7 years?

In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?

No

In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?

Other or expanded principles

We can't expect to balance the budget by simply increasing taxes to match rampant spending. Instead, we need to focus on drastically reducing spending and living within our means as a nation similar to households all across America.

We can?t expect to balance the budget by simply increasing taxes to match rampant spending. Instead, we need to focus on drastically reducing spending and living within our means as a nation similar to households all across America.

Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?

Other or expanded principles

Campaign financing is currently out of control; nobody can convince me that money does not come with strings attached. Corporations do not just give money away without expecting a return on their investment, including donations made to politicians. Private sector corporations and unions (both public and private) influence legislation in order to directly enhance their bottom line. Politicians support such legislation because they have a debt to pay to the organization pushing the bill. This must end if Congress is ever going to actually represent the people again instead of just representing the interests of big money in Washington

Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Yes

Do you support lowering taxes as a way of promoting growth in the economy?

No

Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?

Other or expanded principles

True economic growth rarely originates from government, but rather the private sector is the primary means of growing our nation?s economy. Ironically, while big corporations have been given huge bailouts at taxpayers? expense, it is typically the small and medium businesses throughout America that provide economic stability and growth overall.

I am always in favor of lowering the tax burden of everyday people, but we need to fix the tax system as a whole because so many Americans pay little to no tax, and the overwhelming majority of the tax burden has been pushed onto the middle class.

Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?

Other or expanded principles

I believe that education is beyond the limited scope of constitutional authority granted to the federal government by the people, and in any event is more effectively handled by the states without any federal interference. Accordingly, I am opposed to all federal grants for education, and instead I believe education should be handled on the state and local levels. The individual states provide 50 laboratories of innovation and would compete with each other for the best education practices throughout the nation, thus enhancing education performance by the nation as a whole.

Although human activity may contribute to climate change, that does not necessarily mean it is an issue in which the federal government must become involved. I believe this issue is beyond the scope of the limited constitutional authority granted to federal government by the people.

I only support reasonable restrictions, such as restrictions against felons and mentally ill (similar to reasonable restrictions on voting rights).

The first step toward tyranny is to disarm the citizenry. Once achieved, the government can impose whatever laws it likes as there is no longer any threat from the very people who gave them that power.

The 2nd Amendment is about more than an armed militia, and instead it extends to citizens? right to bear arms in their own self-defense, including a defense against a tyrannical government that has gone far beyond the limited constitutional authority granted by the people.

Not only is the federal government ill-equipped to handle welfare issues on a nationwide basis (as abundantly evidenced by the failing Social Security system), but any attempt by the federal government to implement a nationwide welfare system such as the 2010 Affordable Care Act goes far beyond the constitutional authority granted to the federal government by the people.

Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?

Other or expanded principles

Legal immigration should continue, with reforms to put potential immigrants from across the globe on equal footing instead of favoring those who are willing to illegally cross the border.

We need to build an economic wall by eliminating government assistance for illegal aliens, promptly prosecuting and deporting illegal aliens, and making sure those who cross our borders illegally go to the back of the line with respect to legal immigration.

We need to make reasonable efforts to secure all of our borders for purposes of regulating immigration, as a matter of national security, sound economic policy, and health concerns.

Regardless of my personal position on this issue, I do not believe this is an issue in which the federal government should be involved as it is beyond the scope of the limited constitutional authority granted to the federal government by the people.

Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?

No

Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?

Other or expanded principles

The Declaration of Independence plainly states: �We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are LIFE, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.� It is exasperating to hear that our government was responsible for the death of a SUSPECTED terrorist. Who in our government has the right to decide that someone�s life should be taken because they MIGHT be a threat? However, I believe that proven terrorists should be held responsible for their acts.

Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

Other or expanded principles

Individual citizens should be primarily responsible for their financial security and retirement, not the government. This is beyond the scope of the limited constitutional authority granted to the federal government by the people. The federal government has proven all too well that it is ill-equipped to administer such a program and keep it solvent.

I also believe that any funds paid into the federal Social Security program should be held in a separate trust account and used solely for payments of Social Security benefits rather than stealing these funds to use for other government expenditures.

Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

My primary focus will be to restrain the activities of the federal government to the limited scope of constitutional authority granted to the federal government by the people, and reduce the federal bureaucracy and programs, including the related spending, that fall outside of this limited constitutional authority.

I will also earnestly strive to take the money out of government and make elected officials accountable directly to the people they represent rather than being controlled by political parties, special interest groups and other campaign donors.

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